'Sheffield Wednesday can confirm that Burnley Football Club have made a formal and what can only be described as derisory offer for striker Marcus Tudgay. We would like to stress that this offer is most unwelcome and this move is regarded as an underhand tactic to unsettle our player.Sheffield Wednesday attaches great value to Marcus Tudgay as a player and appreciates the contribution he has made to the club over the past three years. The squad development plan at SWFC is based on building a team around players like Marcus and we believe the dynamic that we are creating is a very positive one for the club and our players.Marcus showed his commitment to the club recently by verbally agreeing to a new long-term contract'

Wednesday were also clearly incensed over the behaviour of Darryl Powell. Owls chairman, Lee Strafford, said:

'It's disappointing that an agent would act in such a cavalier manner when he is supposed to be protecting the interests of the player and also the right of the club to protect its assets. Sheffield Wednesday will not be taken advantage of in this situation'

Well now the fisticuffs are out again with Powell speaking to the Yorkshire Post and saying:

'I don't want a slanging match with Sheffield Wednesday - or any other football club - but Marcus Tudgay is my client and I have to give him what I believe is the best advice. Like any player, Marcus wants to play in the Premier League. Sheffield Wednesday have been offered a fee in the region of £2m for a player who has just 12 months left on his contract. If that is 'derisory' in this current financial climate or 'unrealistic' for a Championship player moving to a Premier League club, then I don't know anything about transfer fees. When a Premier League club comes in for a player, it changes everything. Marcus is adamant that he wants an opportunity to talk to Burnley and I am sure any other player would feel the same given the same opportunity. As things stand, Marcus is not looking to sign a new contract with Sheffield Wednesday. He is 26 and thinks this might be his one opportunity to play in the Premier League.'

One person who is clearly staying out of all this is Owen Coyle who calmly said yesterday:

'What Sheffield Wednesday say is entirely up to them. I am not going to get caught up in anything negative about their club. They are a fantastic club, steeped in history and tradition.We made an offer of £1.5 million, plus add-ons, for Marcus Tudgay. That was inviting - it was rejected.At no time have we looked to unsettle the player. We made what we thought was a fair offer for a player who has only a year to go on his contract.It was turned down - Sheffield Wednesday felt fit to do that. I have no problem with that. If they want to say anything to besmirch the good name of Burnley that is entirely up to them.'

Coyle added: 'I am not going to get caught up in tit for tat. We know how we work. I have never had a problem with anyone else.'

He also said this which could mean the end of the matter:

"The offer`s been rejected. It won`t be improved upon."

If a move doesn't happen and the two clubs and agent can't resolve their differences only one person will suffer and that will be Marcus Tudgay who will be denied his ambition to play in the top flight (at least for the moment)

Will his heart then still be in it, playing for the Owls, knowing they may have priced him out of the market? Would he even still sign the three-year contract on the table? This saga could run and run!

Comments

And do we care? At this time. no. If you don't stump up more cash, he's not leaving. Darryl Powell's bank balance will not increase. The fortunes of Burnley or Wednesday will not significantly change either way. Marcus may suffer. And if he does, the blame for that will be laid at the door of his agent.

To be fair, 1.5M + bonus for a 15+ goalscorer when championship defenders are being sold for 6M is stupid. Yes the transfer market is crazy, however that doesnt mean that were going to let you off because you dont have as much money as other premiership teams. These are the times and everyone else has to deal with the same situation.

Round 36 Marcus Tudgay's agent admits the Sheffield Wednesday striker is considering handing in a transfer request as he looks to win a move to Burnley. "Marcus wants to go to Burnley and he is disappointed that they have rejected a bid for him," Powell told skysports.com.
"Like any player, Marcus wants to play in the Premier League and we are considering all our options.
"I plan to sit down with Marcus next week and we will decide what is best for him to do.
"Obviously handing in a transfer request is an option and we will talk through all our options."
Powell admits Tudgay will not be signing the new deal on offer at Wednesday and he is surprised the club described Burnley's bid, which is believed to be in the region of £2million, as being 'derisory'.
He added: "Marcus is not thinking of signing the new deal on offer and he is ready to wait and see what happens.
"Marcus is a bit miffed that an offer of £2million in the current financial climate is thought as being derisory. To call the bid derisory was a bit rude I thought for a player who is entering the final year of his contract." sky sports